Gulls - A mirror for human behaviour

I was spending a pleasant afternoon at Pt Adelaide a few months ago where I was sitting in the sunshine enjoying a mug of coffee outside a Cafe.When all of a sudden, a mob of Gulls turned up.

Gulls at Pt Adelaide South Australia

Watching the Gulls behave towards each other reminded me of how birds and animals often show us a mirror of our own behaviour. And it is not always pretty.

The Gulls were bossy, aggressive, bullies; squabbling over scraps of crumbs dropped by diners outside the cafe.

OK, so these are Gulls, just birds who are trying to survive in a world where people have changed their natural environment.  They do not have our intelligence or our compassion and ability to love.

However, as we often see in the Media and in our own lives, many of us still behave like the Gulls! And I am sure that readers of this post know exactly what I mean.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" said my Grandmother to me when I was a child. Words of wisdom that many people do not seem to understand. 

People get irate and angry at the slightest things, making mountains out of molehills; and reacting in ways that seem to me to be using violence for the sake of it.

It is about time that more people on this planet take responsibility for their behaviour, heal their pain and let go of old behaviour patterns that are not loving, compassionate, respectful and tolerant of others. 

How are we ever going to create a peaceful world for all of us if  we, as a society, continue to behave like Gulls fighting over scraps?

Hilary Thompson
The Out and About Therapist
Flourishing Relationships Retreats